The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as he recalled all the details about Shinki. The key to the breakthrough still lay with Tsunade.
Outside in the yard, two figures continuously closed the distance, clashing with kunai that sparked with each collision. They punched and kicked with determined force, testing each other with every move.
Tsunade leaned against the door frame, while Kushina sat on a small bench nearby, leaning on her knees.
"Sister Tsunade, the little blondie has made significant progress," Kushina noted, recalling how Nawaki used to have the upper hand when he first started sparring with Minato Namikaze. Now, Minato was rapidly catching up.
Not only was Minato progressing quickly, but his development was also remarkably steady.
"Do you think Shinki would pay attention to him if he hadn't improved? Shinki's standards are anything but ordinary," Tsunade grumbled, slightly annoyed. *I taught you diligently, and now you go and praise someone else?*
*Maybe I should've smacked him harder with a mallet in training... Little blondie—Kushina, you've corrupted my language!*
Tsunade shot a glare at Kushina, who looked back cluelessly. Then, she shifted her focus back to the sparring boys and became contemplative.
Jiraiya was at the front line, but Nawaki was stuck in the village. How could a disciple grow without a teacher's guidance?
Sending Nawaki to Jiraiya wasn't an option either. The risk was too high. Jiraiya's missions were dangerous enough for him, let alone a younger shinobi. Nawaki would be put in harm's way multiple times.
*If not for Shinki's timely rescues...* Tsunade thought, shaking her head.
Nawaki couldn't remain in the village forever. He needed more intensive training.
Minato was younger, but he was advancing quickly, with a solid educational foundation and strong competition. His progress was consistent, and his maturity surpassed his years.
Staying in the academy any longer would only hinder him.
Some children needed time to mature, even if they were powerful. Others, however, didn't require such delays. For them, staying in the academy was a waste.
Hatake Kakashi might belong to the former group, while Namikaze Minato was clearly in the latter.
Both were geniuses, but Minato's steady temperament set him apart, unlike Kakashi, who occasionally hit roadblocks.
*Why not send Nawaki to the front lines and have Minato accompany him?* Tsunade pondered. The camp itself wasn't as perilous as the battlefield, and studying under Shinki's guidance brought peace of mind.
"Heh, we're tied. I'm exhausted," Nawaki said, collapsing onto the ground and tossing aside his nicked kunai.
The fatigued Minato dropped beside him, even more worn out.
"Brother Nawaki, blondie!" Kushina called out, tossing them water bottles. Nawaki grinned, unscrewed the cap, and drank deeply.
"Thank you," Minato said politely, taking careful sips.
"Kushina," Nawaki said after a few gulps, "calling him 'blondie' isn't right. Can't you use Minato instead?"
When they first met, Nawaki thought calling Minato "blondie" was funny. But as they grew closer, it felt wrong.
"Why do you care?" Kushina retorted, crossing her arms and giving Tsunade a playful tug, as if daring him to challenge her.
"..."
*You win,* Nawaki thought, recognizing defeat. He wouldn't dare oppose Kushina, especially with his sister there. Plus, hitting Kushina was out of the question—and she could hold her own, blondie or not.
"Enough nonsense," Tsunade said, giving Kushina a gentle flick on the head. "I told you not to pick up weird habits from Shinki. How would you feel if Minato called you 'redhead'?"
"He wouldn't dare!" Kushina pouted, looking indignant.
"Ahaha..." Minato laughed nervously. Kushina was right—he wouldn't dare.
"Minato, did you study the ninjutsu scroll I gave you?" Tsunade asked.
"Not yet. My teacher said I should focus on fundamentals first. Taijutsu and swordsmanship are the key right now," Minato explained.
He was an attentive student. Ever since Shinki emphasized the importance of a solid foundation, Minato had dedicated himself to that path. The scrolls Nawaki gave him remained untouched. Though tempted, he obeyed his teacher's advice and stuck to the basics.
*Still building his foundation?* Nawaki thought, scratching his head. "Sister, is Shinki turning Minato into a taijutsu-only ninja?"
"What, do you look down on taijutsu experts?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"..."
A chill ran up Nawaki's spine. He quickly forced a smile. "Of course not! The strongest taijutsu user is you, after all."
*Smart answer,* Tsunade thought approvingly.
"You don't need to worry about Minato's future training. Shinki has already mapped it out. Do you think everyone's as clueless as your teacher?"
"..."
*Jiraiya! Why is your teaching so random?* Nawaki thought enviously. *Look at Minato's teacher. Everything is planned out, while I've barely seen Jiraiya since he left!*
Waving dismissively, Tsunade shooed Nawaki away. "You two, go shower and change into clean clothes. Minato, pack your things after dinner and be at the village entrance at 7 a.m. tomorrow."
"Yes, ma'am," Minato said, even though he didn't know why he needed to pack.
"What about me? What should I do?" Nawaki asked anxiously.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "You too. I'm sending both of you to the front-line camp tomorrow. You'll study with Shinki. Jiraiya is still recovering from his injuries, and when he's back on the battlefield, you'll stay in the camp."
Training at the camp was better than being idle in the village.
Tsunade wasn't worried about Minato. He was mature, diligent, and quick to learn—a model student. Nawaki, on the other hand... *The more I look at him, the more frustrated I get,* she thought.
If he weren't her brother, she'd have been far less patient.
>>>>>
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